At St Christopher’s, our foster carers support and nurture young people in care to create happy memories and achieve their full potential.

As a charity, we are fully not-for-profit, and you can be confident that we put children first in everything we do. This Black History Month, we are spotlighting the importance of recruiting Black foster carers to help us in our mission and to provide culturally informed support for the children we care for.

“You can make a difference to a child’s life, St Christopher’s is a Children’s Charity and children are at the heart of everything we do!” – Pauline Griffith, Head of Fostering

What is fostering?

Fostering is when a child or young person in care comes to live with you. You look after them and provide a safe and caring home to meet their needs. Alongside the support of a social worker and other professionals, you will enable them to thrive and create a brighter future. Children in foster care benefit immensely from being placed with carers who understand and share their cultural heritage. By becoming a foster carer, you can offer a nurturing environment where children feel truly understood and valued, which is crucial for their emotional and developmental well-being.

What we’re looking for:

• The time, commitment and energy to make a difference to a child’s life
• Commitment to attend training and support groups
• One or more spare bedrooms
• To be aged 21 or older
• UK resident or leave to remain in the UK
• Capacity to travel or a UK driving licence
• Some experience with children

What we offer

At St Christopher’s, we ensure our foster carers are well-supported with:

• Extensive training: In-depth training covering essential aspects of fostering, child development, and safeguarding.
• Ongoing supervision: Regular monthly support from a dedicated social worker to address any challenges and provide continuous guidance.
• Therapeutic support: We provide our foster carers with a package of support that is underpinned with a therapeutic approach with the support of our therapists at St Christopher. Access to training and resources tailored to the needs of children from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Community and peer Support: Opportunities to connect with other foster carers through support groups and events, fostering a sense of community and shared experience.
• Allowances and benefits: we offer competitive benefits, allowances, and rewards to our foster parents.

For more answers take a look at our FAQ’s & intro video

Success Story – ‘’ We have a home full of laughter’’

Read about Dave and Jackie’s story, and the significant impact on the children in their care, offering not only a safe and loving home but also celebrating and respecting their cultural heritage. Dave and Jackie’s experience highlights the profound difference that a culturally attuned and compassionate foster carer can make.

How to Get Involved

If you’re inspired to make a meaningful difference and provide a loving home for a child, we would love to hear from you. To learn more about becoming a foster carer with St Christopher’s and to begin the application process, please visit St Christopher’s Fostering Page or contact us directly at 0800 234 6282 or fostering@stchris.org.uk.

Join us this Black History Month and beyond in helping to create brighter futures for children in need. Your support can help a child achieve their potential and have a bright future. Become a foster carer with St Christopher’s today.